Electric fuse.



PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908.

S. J. LEVI-ZEN. ELECTRIC FUSE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3. 1906.

I M u I I l u. u 0.

nnrrnn sn'rns 'Pnrnnr SWAN J. LEVEEN, OF ROOK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, ASSIGblOR OF ONE-HALF TO THE ELEGTRIO CONSTRUCTION ANDiNiAOHINERY COMPANY, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC FUSE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, recs.

Application filed November 3 1906. Serial No- 341.821.

To all whom it "may concern:

Be it known that I, SWAN J. LEVEEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rock Island, in the county of Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Electric Fuses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in electric fuses, and the especial object of the improvements which form the subject matter of this a Jplication for patent, is to provide a' fuse holder or shell that may be easily and cheaply refilled as often as the fusible element is burned out. i

A further object is to produce a fuse -of economical manufacture, in which the fusible element will be effectively sensitive to resistance conditions in the circuit but not so easily fused as to render it impractical under ordinary working conditions.

A still further object is to provide a fuse in which the parts will be protected from fire incident to the burning out of the fusible element.

Having the foregoing and other objects of utility, I have invented the fuse shown in a preferred and a modified form in the accom panying drawing.

In said drawing H-Figure 1 is alongitudinal sectional view of my improved fuse in its preferred form; Fig. '2 is a longitudinal sec- I tional view of a fuse of modified construction (at right angles to the section plane of Fig. 1) but embodying the same principles of construction and operation as the form shown in Fig. i; Fig. 3 is an end. view of a complete fuse of the form shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the fuse shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is an elevational view of'the Zinc-fuse plate of Fig. l, and the spring-holding wire, showing the relative arrangement of the two; Fig. 6 shows the fusible element and its protective sleeve or covering; Fig. 7 shows one-half of the shell of the form embodied in Fig. 2. 1

Referring to Figs. 1, 3, 4, .5, and 6, of the drawing, 6 represents the fiber semi-cylindrical sleeve which form". one-half of the ass ing or shell. On each end of this sleeve section is fitted a copper cap 7 which is formed with an extension 8. These extensions on one of the sleeve sections are formedwith lugs 16 bent up at right angles, which aro v adapted to interlock with notches 15.cut in the corresponding ends of the extcnsionsof the complementary sleeve section, thus servin to connect the two sections together.

oldered or otherwise suitably secured to one of the caps 7 is a wire spring 18 the free attached end to form a coil so that the norrnal tension of the spring is exerted to throw it upwardly when released. Vtith the ex 'ception of the lugs and notches and this spring, the two halves or sections of the shell are formed alike.

A tube 9 formed of asbestos paper of a size adapted to be embraced by the shell-sections, has extending longitudinally thro' 1 its center a zinc fuse-plate 13 formed in shape shown in Fig. 5 and provided. wit

15 in the extensions 8, and with holes 1?, 17. Except at its ends the tube is filled with asbestos owder ,as 12, and into ends,

paper label 20, thefolded portion of which )rojects' above the tube 9, and has a small ole cut therein to expose the fine fuse-wire .the label, and extends along the outside of zinc-fuse plate 13, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5. By pressing down the spring 18 its hooked end will engage the exposed portion of the wire 19 and the latter will hold the spring depressed until it fuses.

In practice, the fuse-plate is of relatively low resistance and the wire 19 of high resistance, so that the latter will remain intact or be unaffected by the current so long as the zinc plate remains unfused, but the instant the latter fuses, the wire becomes incandescent and burns the proper label, and because of its weakened condition resulting from incondescence, is easilybroken by the spring the tension ofwhich is upward. As soon as re leased, the spring assumes an upright position, thus indicating the blowing of the fuse plate. The burned label will also serve to indicate the blowing of the fuse-plate. If the tension of the spring should be insufficient to disrupt the fine fuse-wire, the burned label will partially release the latter and thus end of which is bent to form a hook, and the plaster of paris is poured in sen1i-liquid secured thereto by a suitable adhesive is; a'

19 which runs through the folded portion of said tube and has its ends wound around the end. notches 15, corresponding to the notches permit the'spring to assume a semi-upright position which will serve to indicate visually that the fuse-plate is impaired if not entirely 1 burned out, it, being understood that the la- 'bel normally holds-the portions of the wire covered'thereby closely to thetube 9 to which the label is attached.

When the fusible elements become destroyed in the manner described, new ones can be inserted by simply bendin back the lugs 16, disconnecting the two ha f-sections of the shell, removing ,the burned fuse-plate, its protective sleeve 9 and attached wire 19, and insertin 'the prepared substitute. It will be seen that the portion of the fuse-plate within the shell is surrounded by asbestos powder, lasterof parisand the asbestos tube 9, tfiu's effectively protectingthe fiber shell against thefheat generated from any cause 1n the circuit in which the fuse is placed, so that the shell may be repeatedly used. As the ends of the plate 13 projecta considerable distance beyond the endsof the shell and as they are embraced on both sides by the extensions 8 of the caps 7, there will be a large area 'of: contact surtace thus insurin maxi- I mum eflieiency, it bein understood t at the extensions 8 are suitab y connected with the circuit in which the fuse is used.

In the form of device shown in Fig. 2, the caps 7 have no outward extensions 8, but are provided with, inward extensions 21, between which the fuse-plate 13 is held. The ends of the shell-sections are connected by means ofa lip 22. secured to the cap of one section and adapted to be bent over and inserted in'a hole provided therefor in the corresponding end of the other section. These lips prevent endwise movement of the fuse- 40 p ate 13. This form of shell is adaptable to a different style of holder than that shown in Fig. 1, but except in the particulars mentioned it is the same as that shown in said figure. I Having thus described my invention what I claim is v 1. A fuse-shell comprising two separable corresponding complementary sections composed of suitable non-conductive material, each of said sections having metal caps secured to its ends, saidcaps having integral portions. adapted to embrace a fuse-plate, and means for separably connecting the caps of the complementary sections.

2. A fuse-shell comprising two semi-cylin drical complementary sections composed of suitable non-conductive material, each of said sections having metal-caps secured to its ends, said caps having integral extensions adapted to embrace a fusc-plate, and having separable interlocking port1ons.-

-3. -A' fuse-shell comprising twosemi-cylin- 'drical sections com )osed of a suitable non-,

conductive materia, each of said sections havingmetalendwpieces adapted to contact .having metal extensions, a

with a iiuse-plate, said end-pieces-having detachable interlocking portions.

4. In a fuse device'of the character de- Y scribed, fusible elements comprising a fuseplate, a fuse-wire having its ends wrapped around said plate,

ing-tension on'said wire.

combustible tube embraced 'by said shell, a fuse-plate partially inclosed by said tube, a

fuse-wire connected with said plate and having a portion exposed, means securing said wire to said tube, and a spring securedto said shell and engaging theexposed portion of said wire. v

7 In combination, a fuse-shell, composed of two readily separable interlocking sections, a fusible-plate arranged between the adjaand indicating means-comnected with said fuse-wire, said means exert- U 6. In a fuse device, ,a two-part shell, a noncent sides of. said sections, a non-combustible cover for said plate, means for holding said plate against movement in said cover,

and indicating means adapted to operate upon. the fusing of said plate.

'8. In combination, a' fuse-shell composed of two readily separableinterlocking sections fusible plate arranged between said sections and adapted to be clamped by said extensions, a tube surrounding the unclam ed ortion of said plate, a non-combustib e filling for said tube,

and indicating means adapted to operate.

upon the fusing of said plate. I 9. In combination, a fuse-shell composed of readily separable interlocking sections, a

fusible plate inclosed by said sections, means for protecting said sections from heat from said plate when fusing, and means for indicating on theoutside of said shell, the fusing of" said plate.

10. In combination, a shell composed of I two parts detachabl joined to ether, a fusi-' ble plate'embraced by saidsheI intcgral'portions extending thereupon, noncombustible means for protecting the shell from heat from said plate when fusing, and a fuse wire connected with said plate and having a portion projecting from said shell. I

11. In combination, a two-part fuse-shell, means connecting said arts together, a fuseplate embraced by sair shellfand, having its ends exposed, means rotecting the shell from heat from said p ate when'fusing, a fuse-wire connected with said plate and exposed from said shell, a spring detachably connected with said wire and adapted to ruption of thewire.

l and having bination with a fusible 12. Afuse shell divided longitudinally'into complementary sections, means for connectingand disconnecting said sections, in complate embraced and held by said-sections.

13. In an electric fuse device, a tiller element consisting of a fusible plate having its ends adapted to form contact terminals and having a portion between its ends of relatively greater resistance than the end portions, a wrapper of non-combustible material surrounding the portion of said plate having increased resistance, and a fuse-wire connected with said plate on opposite sides of said portion of increased resistance, I 14. In a fuse device, a filler element composed of a plate of suitable material, an incombustible covering surrounding a portion of said plate, means for preventing endwise movement of said plate relative to said covering, and a fusewire connecting the ends of said plate.

15. A fuse-shell divided longitudinally into complementary sections each section having contact terminals at its opposite ends, means on said terminals for connecting and disconnecting said sections, in combination Wlth' 'a fusible plate embraced and held by said element consisting of a fusible plate having its mid-portion of reduced area, a non-combustible wrap er or sleeve surrounding the mid-portion 0 said plate and inclosing a noncombustible substance, means preventin the endwise movement of said plate in sai sleeve, and an attenuated fuse-wire connected with said plate at points on opposite sides ofits mid-portion.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SWAN J. LEVEEN. 

